Brain Cancer in the US: A Two Decade Study of Incidence Rates and Demographic Variations (1999-2021)
Muhammad Sohaib Khan1, Wania Moeen1, Muzamil Khan2, Wajeeh Ahmed Khan1, Muhammad Jansher1, Waseem Nabi3, Reyan Hussain Shaikh4, Mohammad Danish1, Sakshi Roy5, Fariha Shariq6, Maryam Zaroo7
1DOW University of Health Sciences, 2The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 3Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, 4Medical College, Aga Khan University, 5School of Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, 6Karachi Medical and Dental College, 7Government Medical College, Anantnag
Objective:
We aim to analyze trends in brain cancer incidence in the United States from 1999 to 2021.
Background:
Brain cancer makes up approximately 1% of the annual cancer diagnoses in the US, affecting the physical, psychological, and cognitive health of the American population. Assessing long-term trends is crucial to optimizing resource allocation and evaluating advances in diagnosis and treatment.
Design/Methods:
Brain cancer incidence data was extracted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging OnLine Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database, focusing on age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) per 100,000 individuals. Annual Percent Changes (APC) were calculated using the Joinpoint Regression Software.
Results:
From 1999 to 2007, the overall brain cancer incidence plateaued at around 6.4 per 100,000. However, from 2007 to 2019, the incidence rate slightly declined to 6.0 (APC: -0.49% (95% CI: -0.62 to -0.36)). This decline continued and amplified between 2019 and 2021, reaching an incidence rate of 5.7 (APC: -2.70% (95% CI: -2.7 to -3.6)). Interestingly, during this period, brain cancer incidence advanced among American Indians, with an average APC of +0.9% (95% CI: 0.17 to 1.72).
The highest incidence rate was found in adults aged 80-84 years, at 21.4 per 100,000, with men overall showing higher rates (7.4) than women (5.22). Racial disparities were evident; non-Hispanic (NH) white individuals had the highest incidence rate at (7.0), followed by Hispanics (5.0), NH-American Indians (4.4), NH-Blacks (3.8), and NH-Asians (3.5). Regionally, the Northeast reported the highest incidence rates at (6.5), closely followed by the Midwest (6.4), South (6.1), and West (6.0).
Conclusions:
Overall, brain tumor incidence has shown a gradual decline since its peak in the early 2000s however rising incidence among NH-American Indians necessitates further investigation. Our research identified older adults, men, whites, and the northeast region to have the highest incidence rates.
Disclaimer: Abstracts were not reviewed by Neurology® and do not reflect the views of Neurology® editors or staff.